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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | January 2006 
Young Mexicans Tapped to Rock The Vote in July
 Ioan Grillo - Associated Press
Mexico City — A Mexican group has launched its own version of the U.S. Rock the Vote campaign, aimed at persuading young and apathetic voters to cast ballots in the July 2 presidential election.
Reflecting the U.S. effort during the 2004 election, the Mexican campaign will bring together a range of youth entertainers who will stress the importance of voting to an audience more attuned to the latest hit song, organizers said.
"We are urging people to defend the democracy that cost us so much," said Francisco Huidobro, of the rock group Fobia. "At last we can choose a president and Congress, and it is our responsibility to make sure this carries on."
Mexico ended seven decades of one-party rule with the historic election of President Vicente Fox in 2000.
Census figures show that Mexicans from age 18 to 34 make up the country's largest potential voting block, claiming about half of the nation's 107 million potential voters. However, just 60 percent in that age bracket are registered to vote and less than a third of those voted in the last election.
By contrast, 80 percent of people over age 34 are registered to vote, according to the census figures.
Organizers say they hope to register another 7 million young people before July.
The U.S. Rock the Vote launched its biggest drive during the 2004 presidential election. |
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